HISTORY OF NZERT
The origins of the NZERT began after the September 2010 Canterbury earthquake when Marina Locke felt compelled to help the people of Canterbury/Christchurch. Primarily a massage therapist and yoga teacher, Marina has trained as an emergency medical technician (ambulance), emergency radio operator, volunteer firefighter, and has attended several trauma trainings. More about her can be found on the website: www.injoyyogatherapy.co.nz
She recruited a number of qualified New Zealand therapists and named the group New Zealand Emergency Relief Therapists (NZERT) with the hope that the group would be willing and available in any natural disaster or crisis. NZERT therapists from a variety of hands on modalities come from all over New Zealand to aide in the effort. Therapies include Acupunture, Bowen Technique, Chiropractic, Craniosacral Therapy, Massage, Myofascial Technique, Yoga and other bodywork techniques. All therapists volunteer at their own expense and offer hands on skills to support the people affected by natural disasters and the emergency services involved. Marina was living in Auckland at the time of the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes, and flew to Christchurch each month for a year at her own expense to volunteer and oversee the events. On 22 February 2011 she was in Christchurch volunteering and experienced the impact of the events first hand. Her husband's work relocated them to North Canterbury in 2012. In 2016 the NZERT name was modified to New Zealand Emergency Response Therapists.
Initially, there were several Relief event days organized and after the 22 February 2011 earthquake many more events were organized to respond to the heighten stresses from loss of life, and the massive loss and damage to property. Some onsite relief was organized in police stations, community centres and hospitals treating residents, civil defense workers, police, fire and army personnel.
After the EQ Memorial Day in March 2011, which was our busiest single day event, a studio was set up in the Art Gallery in central Christchurch to offer bodywork 2-3 days/week to the Emergency Services involved and to the city council staff who used the site. It closed later in 2011. This is where the majority of our work so far was conducted.
In March 2012 a 2 day hugely successful event called HEAL CHRISTCHURCH was organized by South Island chiropractors. About 125 people came through the bodywork area for treatment.
In December 2016, 2 event days were organized after the Kaikoura earthquakes, one in Kaiapoi where buses brought people in for a festival day and another in Rangiora. After the Port Hills fires in Christchurch a call went out to local clinics to provide a free service to the evacuees. 13 volunteers gathered for the successful Edgecumbe Flood Relief Day on 27 May, 2017.
We are currently providing therapists for the people of Christchurch after the events of 15 March 2019.
The feedback from those receiving the treatments has been very rewarding. Many report that they slept much better and experienced some relief to their feeling frazzled by the events. About 3000 people have received this service since 2010.
If you are inspired by this site and it’s work, have level 5 or 6 professional qualifications in any hands on bodywork modality, please contact us if you wish to volunteer your time in an upcoming event: nzert2010@gmail.com
Research on bodywork and post traumatic stress:
Field, T., Seligman, S., Scafidi, F., & Schanberg, S. (1996). Alleviating posttraumatic stress in children following Hurricane Andrew. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 17, 37-50.
Diego, M. & Field, T. (2009). Moderate pressure massage elicits a parasympathetic nervous system response. International Journal of Neuroscience, 119, 630-638.
Field, T. & Hernandez-Reif, M. (2001). Sleep problems in infants decrease following massage therapy. Early Child Development and Care, 168, 95-104.
Cady, S. H., & Jones, G. E. (1997). Massage therapy as a workplace intervention for reduction of stress. Perceptual & Motor Skills, 84, 157-158.
Katz, J., Wowk, A., Culp, D., & Wakeling, H. (1999). Pain and tension are reduced among hospital nurses after on-site massage treatments: a pilot study. Journal of Perianesthesia Nursing, 14, 128-133.
Cady, S. H., & Jones, G. E. (1997). Massage therapy as a workplace intervention for reduction of stress. Perceptual & Motor Skills, 84, 157-158.
Katz, J., Wowk, A., Culp, D., & Wakeling, H. (1999). Pain and tension are reduced among hospital nurses after on-site massage treatments: a pilot study. Journal of Perianesthesia Nursing, 14, 128-133.
